October 13, 2011 - Sonja was written up last fri!!!
Can you believe it! Sonja was written up this time. Primarily for the same things that I was written up. What the hell is going on? I am not happy as to whats going on. No wonder she was quiet for the past 2 days. She talked to me while I was in the lunchroom and appologized to me up and down. This definitely isn't right at all. Jen has been nice to me and willing to listen this week. The question is, will she stay like this? Probably not. Sonja was so upset last friday that she was ready to jump ship but there is nothing out there. Afraid, like me, that she be terminated too (does that sound familiar to the past 5-6 journal entries?). I did remind Jen that I was taking a PTO day tomorrow (10/14), I was a nervous reck when I reminded her. I even showed her the PTO slip that I wrote out and was signed by her and dated in June! Now I feel extremely guilty for taking off, I never felt like that before. I use to take time off and not think anything of it. I took a look at my paycheck today - I was spot on at 75 hr work week (no defecting over) but I currently have 78 hrs PTO. I have got to use it! I normally am about 45-50 hr PTO left over by now. I could see myself having over 100 hrs at the end of the year. We are only allowed to use a portion of it. The rest we lose. I cannot stand that we are subject to this time and attendance. I usually have about 30 hrs at the end of the year that is paid out (about 20 hrs and the rest goes to emergency sick bank for short term/long term disability (I have 270 hrs). They even pulled her internet usage back from June, can you believe it (the same they did to me the friday before labor day). She too was on MSN, facebook and a few other sites. She too is on "point of correction" for the next 30-60 days (I am still off, not to worry about me). Just seems like we are all getting targeted at one point or another. Sonja even said she fears the same things I do - she will keep documenting in order to build her case up - and think nothing about it. She is tired of being a scapegoat for them (I didn't even know she did this!). The nurse educators all better watch their p's and q's because they are next (actually Mary had her fair share of being written up around the time I was 1st written up). There are some issues with other educators. They need to be on their toes(tippy toes). My friend Simone, who works for the imaging department at my hospital site said one of her co workers was written up by their manager and she worked some 30 years. These managers are not playing around. Sonja is as equally as upset with Wendy from HR as I am. Its almost like we don't have anyone to really have on our side. If we were union employees, we would at least have our stewards protecting us. Not so as a non union employee. Our hospitals in Western NY are mostly union except for the catholic health system. They are not.
I am just hoping to stick around for my 20th anniversary on 2/3/12. by then, there shouldn't be too many uncertainties in the hospital system (union employees are being laid off!). Hopefully more opportunities by then. Jen and Diane better be careful - they will wind up with all new support staff (myself, Sonja and Arlene (she will retire - completely and not look back!! she's 70 years old) and maybe perhaps about 2-3 new educators. Kelly even said to me, "Damn, I am bringing work home from here, there isn't enough time to do things, they better watch because I might leave!". Just awful...she is our "most important" educator who we lean on for orientation and our learning management system. Without her, we are definitely F@#$ed. That can't happen either. that would definitely be the worst case scenario yet.
Anyways, how am I feeling this week. Still alittle shakey - have to keep my guard up even though Jen was alittle more kinder to me this week. I still think its a front - I know...don't trust her actions!! I am working as hard as I can. Its nice to have Arlene (even though she works part time) as my co scheduler for the schools. So if things get kind of thick, I have another pair of eyes to help get things straightened out. I am lucky that I have the RN nursing schools to be as kind and willing to work to get things done. I still have to keep my eyes pealed. Try to see Jen at least once a day to give her my thoughts on things (she is seeing that this week). Just trying to work with her on an even level. I see Judith my counselor next wednesday at 4:30. I do have a lot to tell her but some of it Im gonna have to not say because Sonja, called for an appt with Judith for next friday at 4:30pm. All I will say to Judith is, "you've got a new patient, Sonja and she will be telling you a lot what I've said - you finally get to meet someone else from my department". The rate we are all going, poor judith is gonna get an overload because of this manager.
I am just hoping to stick around for my 20th anniversary on 2/3/12. by then, there shouldn't be too many uncertainties in the hospital system (union employees are being laid off!). Hopefully more opportunities by then. Jen and Diane better be careful - they will wind up with all new support staff (myself, Sonja and Arlene (she will retire - completely and not look back!! she's 70 years old) and maybe perhaps about 2-3 new educators. Kelly even said to me, "Damn, I am bringing work home from here, there isn't enough time to do things, they better watch because I might leave!". Just awful...she is our "most important" educator who we lean on for orientation and our learning management system. Without her, we are definitely F@#$ed. That can't happen either. that would definitely be the worst case scenario yet.
Anyways, how am I feeling this week. Still alittle shakey - have to keep my guard up even though Jen was alittle more kinder to me this week. I still think its a front - I know...don't trust her actions!! I am working as hard as I can. Its nice to have Arlene (even though she works part time) as my co scheduler for the schools. So if things get kind of thick, I have another pair of eyes to help get things straightened out. I am lucky that I have the RN nursing schools to be as kind and willing to work to get things done. I still have to keep my eyes pealed. Try to see Jen at least once a day to give her my thoughts on things (she is seeing that this week). Just trying to work with her on an even level. I see Judith my counselor next wednesday at 4:30. I do have a lot to tell her but some of it Im gonna have to not say because Sonja, called for an appt with Judith for next friday at 4:30pm. All I will say to Judith is, "you've got a new patient, Sonja and she will be telling you a lot what I've said - you finally get to meet someone else from my department". The rate we are all going, poor judith is gonna get an overload because of this manager.
Replies
I guess, at least you kind of know that it was probably nothing you did to be singled out. This new manager is obviously trying to make herself look good by writing people up for petty infractions.
She has every right to hold you to the strictest definition of the rules, but it\'s a chickenshit move on her part, and it will bite her backside on of these days. This type of cutthroat manager usually doesn\'t last long. Wait her out.
I hope it gets better for you at work.
YOU ARE UNDER SO MUCH STRESS, I HOPE THIS DOESN\'T MAKE YOU SICK. TAKE CARE OF YOUR SELF, OK?
HUGS
wow, I don\'t know how you do it, Holding down a job, 70\'ish hours a week That is alot of stress .... I know having Arlene at work with you is some relief ... I been there , i use to work 70 to 77 hours a week , stressful ! Hugs & Prayers, Jobbie
thank you so much for all your message. Jobbie - I do not work 70 hr weeks. I use to when I worked my 2nd job but its been a year since that happened. I work 37.5 hrs, not a penny more. Raging - I hope the stress doesn\'t make me sicker. I need to take care of myself - its hard when I gotta deal with the rath of this manager. Wdspirit - I really hope your right about that. I highly doubt that Sonja and I will be the only ones written up, the educators are next. Whew! Take care....as the \"world churns\" is what I call this story. I won\'t write anything until I see the councelor on Wed, ok. catch up to you all then.
oh I see where the confusion is Jobbie. I get paid bi-weekly, 37.5 a week x 2 = 75 hrs. sorry about that.
I think it speaks volumes to your work ethic by trying to meet Jen\'s expectations but when those expectations become unrealistic or impossible, it can become quite stressful. That\'s the way it got at my company. I know that the economy is bad, but get out there and look anyway. Who knows? Don\'t fall for the GD media\'s ploy to get people to be complacent and \"feel grateful that at least they have a job.\" Look at how bad it\'s getting and not just at your workplace but elsewhere. People have become slaves to their jobs, their healthcare, and debt.
The hospital where my mother volunteers and used to work is trying to get rid of older employees to bring in new employees at much, much lower wages.
This definitely isn\'t how life or work should be. If I was in your shoes, I wouldn\'t even be trying any more. I give you all the credit in the world because you keep on trying to please those who can\'t be pleased and are kicking you and Sonja in the ass.
Honey: Try to keep your head above water by thinking positively. Jobs are precious these days. The prospects are slim if you\'re possibly thinking of quitting. You are facing a lot of adversity, which is completely wrong with management who are mismanaging. The things you must do are keep yourself healthy, put a smile on your face (even if you don\'t feel like it) because this shows others that you are strong. Also eat right. You have us to spur you on. We care about you. Who is your best friend at work? The one you can confide in? How long has all this chaos been going on at work? I\'ll read some more of your journals to go back in time and try to catch up. Hugs! I am with you! Pattye